Melting snow causes potential flooding concerns

Public works crews have plans in place

The mountains of snow lining roadways throughout our region are undergoing a continuous slow melt. Melting snow has to go somewhere and that means more water on the streets. Public works crews have plans in place to prevent flooding.

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Some drains are filled with frost and ice, which can prevent water from getting in. Since the water doesn't have a place to go this can cause large puddles in the street.

Wernsdorfer says warm weather could help clear the drains.

"Once water starts flowing into the storm drains and melts some of the ice that is in there and we get a little more flow, they'll be a little more open. And we will probably see more of the water go down there but that is about it," Wernsdorfer said.

Wernsdorfer says the department has hundreds of sandbags ready to go to redirect the flow of water if flooding becomes a problem.

When it comes to large puddles public works officials say it's important for drivers to be careful, because it's hard to tell how powerful the water is or what's underneath.